University admissions tests in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom there are various standardized tests for admission to university. Most applicants to universities in the UK take national examinations such as A-levels or Scottish Highers. Separate admissions tests are used by a small number of universities for specific subjects (particularly law, mathematics and medicine, and courses at Oxford and Cambridge), many of these administered by Cambridge University's Admissions Testing Service.[1]
English Literature Admissions Test
The English Literature Admissions Test (ELAT) is a subject-specific admissions test, used as part of the admissions process for undergraduate courses in English language and literature, combined English and modern languages and classics and English at the University of Oxford. As of 2016, ELAT has also been used by the University of Cambridge for admission to its undergraduate English course.[2]
ELAT is held pre-interview stage, in late October/early November. Results are available to candidates and test centres via the Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing Results Online website.History Aptitude Test
The History Aptitude Test (HAT) is a standardized test used as part of the admissions process to Oxford University for undergraduates applying to read history, or a subject including history, for example English with history.
The one-hour test is currently only employed by Oxford University, though other universities are considering adopting a similar examination as part of admissions.
Modern and Medieval Languages Test
The Modern and Medieval Languages Test (MML) is a university admissions test used in the United Kingdom. It is currently used by the University of Cambridge.[3]
National Admissions Test for Law
Sixth Term Examination Paper
Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics, often referred to as STEP, are university admissions tests for undergraduate Mathematics courses developed by the University of Cambridge.
STEP is typically taken post-interview, as part of a conditional offer of an undergraduate place. There are also a number of candidates who sit STEP as a challenge. The papers are designed to test ability to answer questions similar in style to undergraduate Mathematics.[5]
Some official users of STEP Mathematics include: the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and the University of Warwick.
Candidates applying to study Mathematics or Computer Science with Mathematics at the University of Cambridge are almost always required to take STEP as part of the terms of their conditional offer. In addition, other courses at Cambridge University with a large mathematics component, such as engineering, occasionally require STEP. Candidates applying to study Mathematics or closely related subjects at the University of Warwick can take STEP as part of their offer. Imperial often requires STEP for their Computing courses,[6] and may require it for Mathematics applicants (who otherwise take Oxford's Mathematical Admissions Test (MAT)).Mathematics Admissions Test
The Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) is a 2-hour 30-minute subject-specific admissions test for applicants to the University of Oxford, the University of Warwick and Imperial College London[7] for undergraduate degree courses in mathematics, computer science and their joint degrees. It is set with the aim of being approachable by all students, including those without further mathematics A Level.
The MAT is held pre-interview stage at the beginning of November. Test results are not published automatically, but for the University of Oxford, candidates may request their test score as part of the usual University of Oxford feedback process.[8]
Physics Aptitude Test
The Physics Aptitude Test (PAT) is a 2-hour subject-specific admissions test for applicants to the University of Oxford for undergraduate degree courses in engineering, materials science and physics undergraduate degree courses.
The PAT is held pre-interview stage at the beginning of November.[9] Test results are not published automatically, but candidates may request their test score as part of the usual University of Oxford feedback process.[10]
References
- "Admissions Tests". UCAS. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 18 February 2017.
- http://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/english University of Cambridge. Retrieved 2018-05-22.
- Modern and Medieval Languages Test (MML), UCAS, UK.
- Education: New entry test for law students, BBC News, UK.
- "About STEP". Cambridge Assessment. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- "MEng Computing (Management and Finance) | Study | Imperial College London". www.imperial.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- "About MAT | Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing". www.admissionstesting.org.
- "PAT Oxford: The Definitive PAT Starter Guide For 2022". Exams Ninja. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
- "About PAT". University of Cambridge. Retrieved 15 January 2014.